About this project

$8,782

pledged of $8,000 goal

148

backers

THE FILM:

This documentary aims to tell the story of the thirty-year-long production and tragic destruction of what was intended to be one of the greatest animated feature films of all time, Richard Williams' "The Thief and the Cobbler." Richard Williams is considered by many to be one of the greatest and most influential animators of all time. He is best known for being the director of animation on "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," but he spent three decades of his life to create his magnum opus. Sadly, "The Thief" was never finished as its creator intended. The film was originally and mostly an independently produced project. But creative differences, deadlines, and budget concerns with the studios led to Williams being fired from his life's work. The film was altered and destroyed beyond recognition. It is one of the great untold tragedies of cinema.

There has never been a book or documentary made about "The Thief." After nearly three years of research and planning, I am about to begin work on my senior project. With your financial support, I hope to make this film a reality. It's a story about art, obsession, and dreams, and one that I believe many people will find fascinating and engaging.

This film will be completed in April 2011, with a world premiere screening in May 2011 in upstate New York.

THE PLAN:

For nearly three years, I have been compiling information on "The Thief and the Cobbler." Archivists and animation historians have provided me with rare footage of the film in various stages of production, and information on the making of the animated epic. After all of this pre-production, we just need to begin filming.

Shooting is to begin in late July 2010. I have several interviewees lined up in both the UK and the US: animators, artists, production assistants, composers, effects artists, and others who helped make "The Thief" at various stages during its three-decade-long production. Now we just need the money for the following:

-Round-trip tickets to London for myself and at least one production assistant.
-Round-trip tickets to Los Angeles for myself and at least one production assistant.
-Equipment for sound, lighting, etc.
-Transportation in England and Southern California to meet with interviewees and document key locations.

Every dollar counts!

THE REWARDS:

-PLEDGE $25 OR MORE:
Get your name in the end credits of the film under "Financial Support Provided by," and, upon request, you can receive a DVD of the completed film by late spring 2011.

-PLEDGE $50 OR MORE:
Get your name in the end credits of the film under "Financial Support Provided by," and, upon request, you can receive a DVD of the completed film by late spring 2011. Also, you will receive a personal "Thank You" letter from the director of the film, and an invitation to the world premiere.

-PLEDGE $100 OR MORE:
Get your name in the end credits of the film under "Financial Support Provided by," and, upon request, you can receive a DVD of the completed film by late spring 2011. Also, you will receive a personal "Thank You" letter from the director of the film, and an invitation to the world premiere. If you are able to attend the world premiere screening, a prime seat will be RESERVED for you.

-PLEDGE $500 OR MORE:
You will be credited as an "Associate Producer" in the end credits, and, upon request, you can receive a DVD of the completed film by late spring 2011. Also, you will receive a personal "Thank You" letter from the director of the film, and an invitation to the world premiere. If you are able to attend the world premiere screening, a prime seat will be RESERVED for you.

-PLEDGE $1,000 OR MORE:
You will be credited as an "Executive Producer" in the end credits, and, upon request, you can receive TWO DVDs of the completed film by late spring 2011. Also, you will receive a personal "Thank You" letter from the director of the film, and an invitation to the world premiere. If you are able to attend the world premiere screening, a prime seat will be RESERVED for you. You will also receive a DVD of my previous feature-length documentary, "The World According to David Liebe Hart."

We need to make this goal of $8,000 by July 11th, or all of the pledges will be refunded and the whole project will go to waste!

Richard Williams was unable to complete his film. But hopefully, with your help, we can do justice to his work and art.

Thank you very much!

Sincerely,

Kevin Schreck

FAQ

Have a question?
If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Get your name in the end credits of the film under "Financial Support Provided by," and, upon request, you can receive a DVD of the completed film by late spring 2011. Also, you will receive a personal "Thank You" letter from the director of the film, and an invitation to the world premiere.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Get your name in the end credits of the film under "Financial Support Provided by," and, upon request, you can receive a DVD of the completed film by late spring 2011. Also, you will receive a personal "Thank You" letter from the director of the film, and an invitation to the world premiere. If you are able to attend the world premiere screening, a prime seat will be RESERVED for you. (This last reward also applies to backers who pledge at least $500.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

You will be credited as an "Associate Producer" in the end credits, and, upon request, you can receive a DVD of the completed film by late spring 2011. Also, you will receive a personal "Thank You" letter from the director of the film, and an invitation to the world premiere.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

You will be credited as an "Executive Producer" in the end credits, and, upon request, you can receive TWO DVDs of the completed film by late spring 2011. Also, you will receive a personal "Thank You" letter from the director of the film, and an invitation to the world premiere. If you are able to attend the world premiere screening, a prime seat will be RESERVED for you. (This last reward also applies to backers who pledge at least $500.) You will also receive a DVD of my previous feature-length documentary, "The World According to David Liebe Hart."